Should Penang’s trishaw retain classic look?

A state icon:The Penang trishaw has retained its look.

GEORGE TOWN: Preventing the last Penang trishaw from riding off into the sunset is a topic that invites different feedbacks from tourism players.

“We shouldn’t have gaily decorated trishaws like those in Melaka. It doesn’t reflect our heritage,” said Penang Tourist Guides Association president Chin Poh Chin.

But Association of Tourism Attractions Penang chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng feels that “gaudy is what sells”.

“We must keep culture alive but culture has to grow with the times. That is why old shops are dying. They don’t change,” he said.

Melaka trishaws – with passenger seats attached like a sidecar to a bicycle – are typically covered in festoons of artificial flowers and soft toys. Loud music blare out of them and at night, they turn into bright, blinking floats on procession.

Penang trishaws – a tricycle with the rider pedalling from behind and steering by turning the whole front passenger car – is rarely decorated and retains its archaic, utilitarian look.

Chin and Ch’ng agree that in the evenings, when offices in the heritage enclave close for the day, the old streets are great for cooling trishaw rides at sunset.

But Ch’ng said more nighttime tourism spots should be created within the enclave to give tourists a good time.

He also said Penang trishaw riders were split into several groups and this caused disunity and led to price wars.

Chin recounted a horrid experience when she hired trishaw riders from one group many years ago, and then the rival group leader rode a motorcycle past the train of trishaws, shouting expletives.

“He gave my Taiwanese tourists a fright,” she said.

Chin stressed that the state government must do more to unite trishaw riders and attract young blood by adding more lucrative opportunities into the business.

“We have to revamp the whole trishaw business model. The Penang trishaw is our tourism icon and worth promoting.

“Don’t keep promoting hawker food because other states are catching up. We should make riding trishaws into a must-do thing again,” she said.

State Tourism Development Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said he initiated a study of the Melaka trishaw business to understand its business model and would soon hold dialogue sessions with trishaw riders and tourism players here on the matter.